The next day, the sun was shining brightly.
To be honest, this kind of hot weather wasn’t really suitable for setting up a street stall.
On the way to their stall location, Yu Zhizhi’s eyes kept drifting toward the “walking attention magnet” beside her—He Yang. Looking at him dressed in a bright red brocade robe, she couldn’t help but speak up:
“We’re going to set up a stall and work today. Why are you dressed like a groom?”
At this rate, people would think he was going to a wedding, while she, Xiao Tao, and Ping’an were just his attendants pushing carts and carrying gifts.
He Yang, who was very eye-catching, smiled and replied, “Boss, didn’t you say before that I’d be in charge of attracting customers?”
“That’s right.”
“So I’m the face of our stall. If customers see me dressed so festively, they’ll feel happy, and they’ll enjoy the food more.”
Hearing that, Yu Zhizhi felt it made some sense. Since he was so willing to be the “front face,” she didn’t dampen his enthusiasm.
“As long as you’re happy.”
The group walked and talked.
As they saw the servants of the Yun family pushing a wooden cart, following Yu Zhizhi’s instructions and heading away from the bustling streets toward a quiet residential area in the east, He Yang’s heart suddenly “thumped.”
“Boss, did you take the wrong direction? Shouldn’t we set up in a busy, crowded street?”
Yu Zhizhi smiled mysteriously. “No mistake. Our first stall should be a little different—that’s more interesting, don’t you think?”
He Yang chuckled. “Boss is right.”
He had already pledged his loyalty these past days—no matter what, he would trust her. So whatever she wanted to do, he would go along with it.
But he never expected… she would play this big!
Fifteen minutes later, a trembling He Yang stood not far from the entrance of the Sixth Prince’s residence, feeling like dying.
He regretted it.
“Boss… you… you’re planning to set up a stall at the entrance of the Sixth Prince’s residence?”
His voice was shaking.
Yu Zhizhi smiled sweetly. “Mm. Is it fun? Is it exciting?”
He Yang looked like he was about to cry, grabbing her sleeve. “Boss, this isn’t fun at all! Let’s change locations!”
Last time she got drunk and caused trouble, the Sixth Prince hadn’t even settled accounts with them yet—why were they actively coming back again?
“Don’t worry, I’ve got this. We’re just setting up a stall here. We’re not stealing or robbing anyone. What’s there to be afraid of?”
Previously, she had already been here once, so she had planned it out. They would set up under an apricot tree about ten meters from the gate.
That way, they would also have shade.
After confirming the location, Yu Zhizhi began instructing Xiao Tao and Ping’an to arrange everything they brought.
After Ping’an lit the stove, she said, “You can go back to the shop to help. The three of us are enough here.”
“Yes, Miss.”
After Ping’an left, He Yang scratched his head and asked, confused, “Boss, can you tell me what we’re selling now?”
Yu Zhizhi smiled slightly and pointed to a large wooden bucket beside them. “Open it and see for yourself.”
“So mysterious!”
Curious, He Yang hurriedly opened the lid.
The moment it opened, a foul smell rushed out. His face changed instantly as he quickly covered his nose.
“What is this? Why does it smell so bad?”
He frowned and looked closely. The originally white tofu had turned completely black.
“Later when we fry it, it’ll smell even worse,” Yu Zhizhi said.
He Yang’s heart finally sank completely. “Boss… you’re joking, right?”
“I’m not. What we’re selling this time is stinky tofu. Don’t underestimate it—it smells bad, but it tastes amazing.”
She patted his shoulder. “Don’t worry, we’ll definitely sell well this time. The first piece after frying, I’ll let you try it. How about that? I treat you well, right?”
He Yang forced a smile inwardly: she’s definitely using me as a test subject.
“Hehe… I just ate breakfast, I’m not very hungry. Let Xiao Tao try it first, I don’t mind.”
Xiao Tao, who had been dragged into this, muttered softly, “Miss, I’m not hungry either.”
“Alright then. Don’t regret it later.”
By now, the Sixth Prince was probably already on his way back.
Yu Zhizhi began preparing to fry the stinky tofu.
Frying required careful control of heat. She worked seriously, flipping each piece with chopsticks.
Sizzling sounds filled the air.
He Yang couldn’t help but cover his nose again, stepping farther away. As expected, the smell became even stronger during frying.
At that moment, a luxurious carriage slowly arrived and stopped at the residence gate.
Inside the carriage, the Sixth Prince frowned.
A strange, indescribable smell drifted into the carriage.
He immediately opened his eyes, covering his nose with a folding fan, his voice cold: “Zhao Yi, what’s happening outside? Why is there this smell?”
The guards Zhao Yi, Zhao Wu, and the gate guards all smelled it—and they all knew where it came from.
Their expressions turned unpleasant.
Zhao Yi glanced coldly at the group under the apricot tree.
He Yang’s heart jumped. Isn’t that Zhao Yi, the Sixth Prince’s personal guard?
He quickly covered his eyes. “Can’t see me! Can’t see me!”
He really shouldn’t have dressed so conspicuously.
Zhao Yi pointed at a guard. “Explain. What is Yu Zhizhi doing?”
“She’s setting up a stall.”
“What?”
“You didn’t hear wrong. We all heard it. Yu Zhizhi is setting up a stall selling stinky tofu right at the entrance of the Prince’s residence.
She didn’t go to the busy streets and instead chose this almost deserted place. Isn’t she out of her mind?”
Zhao Yi snapped, “Can’t you smell this? Why didn’t you chase her away?”
The guards looked wronged.
“We wanted to, but we have no reason! In our Chu Yun Kingdom, civilians are allowed to set up stalls freely. She didn’t even block the main gate.”
“When did she arrive?”
“Not long ago.”
Yu Zhizhi looked at the carriage parked at the gate and laughed loudly without restraint.
“Hahaha!”
Her goal had been achieved.
So satisfying!
The Sixth Prince must have smelled it—this foul smell. So what if you stood me up?